A blog supporting those dealing directly and indirectly with epilepsy in their bid to find freedom with the condition.

Day 5: Psychogenic Seizures

Now these are really interesting to me. Psychogenic seizures do not occur from epilepsy. Whilst they can appear to have pretty much exactly the same characteristics as epileptic seizures, their origin has nothing to do with increased or abnormal electrical activity. This type is brought on by stress, emotions such as a psychological trauma.

They have previously been referred to as psuedoseizures, but now psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is the current terminology.

Interestingly enough, 1 out of 5 patients who are referred to neurology or epilepsy clinics are diagnosed with PNES instead of epileptic seizures.

Whilst an EEG is helpful in eliminating the epilepsy diagnosis it cannot be that alone to provide a result of PNES. It ideally will require a video EEG as well and for a long period of time, over days rather than just hours.

The seizure similarities that PNES mimic are tonic clonic, with the falling and shaking, absences/petit mal with the staring and blankness and complex partial.

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Archive 2014

Archive 2014

Disclaimer

Please note this is not a medical website. The information provided is from Freya's own research and experiences. Whilst she has strived to make sure the information on this website is as timely and accurate as possible, she makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site.